Georgian, Craftsman Homes, Bungalows, Tudors, Colonials, Cape Cods, Ranch style, and more in my Nashville House Portrait collection.
Nashville is such a fun and vibrant city and its architecture is just as interesting. Commonly known as “the Music City”, Nashville is an icon in American culture. Its where talented artists migrate for a chance to break into the industry and achieve their dreams. With architectural gems like the Ryman Auditorium and Belmont Mansion , Nashville also has a rich history and over the decades it has attracted artists of all genres. Though I did bring my guitar, my aspiration was to find some architectural stars for my Nashville home portrait series.
One of the first architectural icons I visited in Nashville was the Replica of the Parthenon in Greece. The building itself and the Athena statue that accompanies it are both full-scale replicas of the Athenian originals. Having been to Athens and seen these relics for myself, re-creating them is an incredible feat, and a tribute to the ancient masters of architecture.
My series so far includes paintings of 30 homes in 8 of my favorite neighborhoods and in 13 different architectural styles. These neighborhoods include Belle Meade, Bellmont- Hillsboro, Green Hills, Hillsboro Village, Lockeland Springs, Melrose, Oak Hill, and West Meade.
Favorite Homes in Eight Neighborhoods of Nashville
Belle Meade
Belle Meade, which is French for “beautiful meadow “, was named by John Harding in 1807, and it is still a tribute to its name. With its woodsy scenery surrounding large lawn landscapes and mansions, to its giant stoned stepped Percy Warner Park, parts of Belle Meade are quite awe-inspiring
Belmont – Hillsboro
Hillsboro Village is a collection of shops, boutiques, and restaurants perfect for a day’s stroll. Adjacent to Hillsboro Village is the Belmont area, which is home to Belmont University, shops, and good food. Into the 21st century, the neighborhood now has a variety of architectural styles with a mix of bungalows, cottages and Tudors being the most common, however, you will still find more contemporary styles. The process of home renovation and restoration continues today, maintaining a very desirable Nashville neighborhood.
Green Hills
About 15 minutes from downtown Nashville is an upscale suburban conclave named Green Hills. Having been established in the 1930s the population would not boom until after WWII. Though only a small distance from the hustle and bustle of Nashville, Green Hills has an overall small-town feel, which I always tend to gravitate to.
Lockeland Springs
Lockeland Springs began its growth in the early 1900’s when homes used kerosene lamps for lighting and coal was used for heating, and I was pleased to see that today many of those homes are still standing, thanks to local groups like the Lockeland Springs Neighborhood Association which is dedicated to the preservation of the neighborhood’s long-standing architecture.
Although I created paintings of only one home representing the following neighborhoods, each area was rich with interesting classic and modern houses.
Hillsboro Village
Once part of the Belmont estate, Hillsboro Village has an interesting early history when it mainly consisted of a grocery store and pharmacy. When the property around Hillsboro Village began to be subdivided into neighborhoods around 1890, the population began to boom. Located between Belmont University and Vanderbilt University, I noted college students and families strolling the village shopping center and enjoying the parks.
Melrose
Oak Hill
West Meade
I would like to thank the owners of these beautiful homes for making them art inspiring.
Many people ask me how I go about selecting homes to be part of my various house painting collections. When I depict the architecture in an area, my goal is to create an eclectic mix of interesting house portraits that present both the history of the area as well as an array of architectural styles that artistically reflect that particular neighborhood or city.
Here is some further historic information regards Nashville, thanks to the Nashville Archives. I find that knowing the history of an area gives one a much broader understanding of the architecture and of course the people of that city and its origins.
Furthermore, I am proud to say that nearly all of the original paintings displayed above can be found hanging on the walls of each of these homes. If you live in Nashville and would like to commission me to create a portrait of your home or the home of a loved one, I am always honored to do so. Just get in touch with me to discuss your project.
Cheers, Leisa